Product Description

Emma nervously meets Matthew's family. She encounters his seventy-year-old son, Henry, and learns how unique the family really is. As Christmas approaches, it is clear that Emma is not welcomed by all: what does Matthew's great-granddaughter have against her, and what might his sinister psychiatrist granddaughter, Maggie, be prepared to do?Bound by their faith, Matthew and Emma have accepted that they must wait to be together until his wife dies. Very reluctantly, Emma meets Ellen--an elderly woman with a core of steel--and learns how living with Matthew will mean concealment and lies. How can they have a life together?

Publisher's Description

Rope of Sand follows the developing relationship between British historian, Emma D'Eresby and American surgeon, Matthew Lynes. Emma unravels his alarming past, and begins to comprehend how very different her future might be with a man whose identity must never be revealed. Emma nervously meets Matthew's family. She encounters his seventy-year-old son, Henry, and learns how unique the family really is. As Christmas approaches, it is clear that Emma is not welcomed by all: what does Matthew's great-granddaughter, have against her, and what might his sinister psychiatrist granddaughter, Maggie, be prepared to do? Bound by their faith, Matthew and Emma have accepted that they must wait until his wife dies. Very reluctantly, Emma meets Ellen - an elderly woman with a core of steel - and learns how living with Matthew will be mean obfuscation, concealment, and lies. How can the lovers have a life together?

C. F. Dunn in her new book, "Rope Of Sand" Book Three in The Secret Of The Journal series published by Lion Fiction continues the adventure of Emma D'Eresby in a contemporary thriller.

From the back cover: This third volume, set in rural Maine's deep winter, follows the developing relationship between British historian, Emma D'Eresby, and American surgeon, Matthew Lynes. Emma unravels Matthew's alarming past and begins to comprehend how very different her future might be with a man whose identity must never be revealed.

Emma nervously meets Matthew's family. She encounters his seventy-year-old son, Henry, and learns how unique the family really is. As Christmas approaches, it is clear that Emma is not welcomed by all: what does Matthew's great-granddaughter have against her, and what might his sinister psychiatrist granddaughter, Maggie, be prepared to do?

Bound by their faith, Matthew and Emma have accepted that they must wait to be together until his wife dies. Very reluctantly, Emma meets Ellen-an elderly woman with a core of steel-and learns how living with Matthew will mean concealment and lies. How can they have a life together?

Secrets and mysteries are revealed as new ones are added. Emma meets the family and finds herself not welcomed but why? Matthew is what Matthew is however there seems to be more to him then we have been told. This is a book about family with a unique twist. "Rope Of Sand" is also a mystery filled with twists and turns that will keep you guessing. I think C. F. Dunn is an extremely talented writer who really knows how to tell a story that will grab you and keep you flipping pages until you find out what is going on. "Rope Of Sand" is a very exciting book that will keep you engrossed in the characters. I am looking forward to all being revealed in the next book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Lion Fiction. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

I really like this series. However, I do want to say this won't be a series that everyone will like. It is sci-fi"ish", or fantasy so if you don't like that you probably won't enjoy this books.

Rope of Sand is the third book in the series. I didn't read the first but I did read the second and although in the beginning the author does give a little synopsis of what happened before I highly recommend reading the other books. I had trouble keeping track of Matthew's family even having the background knowledge I had from the second book. So I don't think this is a series you can really just jump into.

This book is so haunting and mysterious. C.F. has created a cast of characters that are very intriguing and sympathetic. Emma loves Matthew so much and my heart ached for her to think about their future and the fact that he doesn't age and one day she will suffer the same fate as his previous wife. But there was a part of me that kept holding out hope that something might change that.

There are a few words in the book that are not part of my vocabulary, but this book did have some good faith conversations, although I would stay say this is loosely Christian fiction. For the most part I would say this is clean fiction with some faith elements.

If you like fiction that is different, a bit darker in theme and mysterious than you might want to give this series a try. I can't wait to see what happens next :)

A copy of this book was given to my by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third in The Secret of the Journal series. The author has conveniently given a synopsis of the story so far at the beginning of this book. While that was a good review, I think it does not have enough information contained to be able to read this book on its own. The basis for Matthew's condition has its roots in the seventeenth century, covered in previous novels. If you have not read the previous books you may be at a loss regarding some of the action and discussions in this one.

In this novel Emma is back in Maine and spends Christmas with Matthew's family. She knows the truth about his longevity and is now ready to meet his family. It is a complicated situation. Because of Matthew's condition, he has a son who appears much older than Matthew. When in public, there has to be some deception to cover the discrepancy in apparent ages.

Emma encounters a mixed reception. Some in the family welcome her while others are intensely hostile. As the novel progresses, it becomes clear that someone has evil thoughts toward Emma and her future.

The first part of the novel went slowly. There is much dialog between Matthew and Emma and much thinking on Emma's part. It took a while for me to be captured, but it did happen in the second half of the book. There is compelling suspense near the end of the novel. I had to remind myself that this is a British author and the narrative does not always move as quickly as we Americans sometimes like.

I really like the intervention of the spiritual into the physical realm. It peaks near the end of the novel when good battles evil. I really like this series and do recommend it. Those who enjoy intense character development and interaction will appreciate these novels.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.